Stars {neutron star}| can be mostly neutrons, with density the same as atomic nuclei.
layers
Neutron stars have heavy-particle nucleus, neutron layer, elements up to atomic mass 140, and gas layer.
size
Neutron stars are 10,000-meter diameter and have mass the same as Sun mass.
temperature
Neutron stars have high temperature, because gravitational collapse turns potential energy into random kinetic energy.
spin
Neutron stars spin at 1 Hz to 30 Hz, because any initial rotation increases as diameter decreases.
magnetism
Few rotating neutron stars are magnetic, with magnetic field 10^12 times Earth field.
process
Neutron star starts with mass between 1.4 and 2.5 Sun mass. If mass is more, it becomes black hole rather than neutron star. If mass is less, it becomes white dwarf. After fusion forms iron at center, and nuclear reactions stop, heat and pressure decrease, and gravitational attraction causes a Type-Ib, Type-Ic, or Type-II supernova. Supernova explosions are typically asymmetric and push star through space at up to 1000 km/s. After supernova, gravitation is so great that it overcomes electron degeneracy pressure, and atoms collapse, leaving only neutrons, to keep total charge zero. Neutron stars balance gravity by neutron degeneracy pressure.
bursts
Once every 10 million years in galaxy, neutron stars collide and emit gamma-ray bursts {gamma-ray burst} (GRB). Neutron-star collisions make 95% of nuclei heavier than iron.
Physical Sciences>Astronomy>Star>Kinds
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Date Modified: 2022.0224